Thirukkural 384 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அறனிழுக்கா தல்லவை நீக்கி மறனிழுக்கா
மானம் உடைய தரசு.
Transliteration
Aranizhukkaa Thallavai Neekki Maranizhukkaa
Maanam Utaiya Tharasu
Modern English
“The best ruler follows justice, removes wrongdoing, and protects the dignity and courage of the people.”
Modern Interpretation
The best ruler follows justice, removes wrongdoing, and protects the dignity and courage of the people. For example, a manager should enforce a fair rule even when the person who broke it is a close friend.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The best ruler follows justice, removes wrongdoing, and protects the dignity and courage of the people.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
A brave noble king refrains from vice Full of virtue and enterprise
G.U. Pope Translation
Kingship, in virtue failing not, all vice restrains,In courage failing not, it honour's grace maintains
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He is a king who, with manly modesty, swerves not from virtue, and refrains from vice
Tamil commentary
தனக்குச் சொல்லப்பட்ட அறத்திலிருந்து விலகாமல், அறமற்ற கொடுமைகள் தன் நாட்டில் நடைபெறாமல் விலக்கி, வீரத்தில் தவறாமல் நின்று மானத்தைப் பெரிதாக மதிப்பதே அரசு.
Chapter 39
More from The Greatness of a King
இறைமாட்சி
People, troops, wealth, forts, council, friends Who owns these six is lion of kings
Kural 382Courage, giving, knowledge and zeal Are four failless features royal
Kural 383Alertness, learning bravery Are adjuncts three of monarchy
Kural 384A brave noble king refrains from vice Full of virtue and enterprise
Kural 385The able king gets, stores and guards And spends them for people's safeguards
Kural 386That land prospers where the king is Easy to see, not harsh of words
Kural 387The world commends and acts his phrase Who sweetly speaks and gives with grace
Kural 388He is the Lord of men who does Sound justice and saves his race
Kural 389Under his shelter thrives the world Who bears remarks bitter and bold
Kural 390He is the Light of Kings who has Bounty, justice, care and grace